Experimental and parametric analysis of a thermoelectric refrigerator

The adverse effects of refrigerants used in vapour compression refrigeration systems (VCRS) on the environment necessitated that alternative ways of cooling to be explored. Thermoelectric refrigeration systems can be used for cooling without the use of refrigerants. In this study, a cascade comprising of eight thermoelectric modules were used to reduce the temperature of a fourteen litre refrigeration chamber from 28.7 degrees C to 3 degrees C after 4 h. Parametric analysis was carried out to evaluate the performance of the refrigerator. At a temperature gradient of 20 degrees C the coefficient of performance (C.O.P) was 0.55, while at a temperature gradient of 60 degrees C the C.O.P was 0.25 at 6A. At the designed condition, a C.O.P of 0.34 was obtained. The result of the simulation shows that optimum performance of a thermoelectric refrigerator would be obtained when the temperature gradient between the hot and cold sides of the thermoelectric module is kept to a minimum.